The Chums of Scranton High on the Cinder Path eBook

And that very night, when Doctor Cadmus, hastily summoned
to the home of Mrs. Kinkaid, examined the work of
the deranged dweller of the quarry cave, he had pronounced
it simply marvelous the clever way in which the other
had set those bones and put a splint on the leg, with
such clumsy means for working at hand. He declared
he meant to interest himself deeply in the case and
see if such a skillful surgeon might not be restored
to the world so much in need of his kind, with the
terrible war raging on the other side of the Atlantic.

To conclude with this subject, at last accounts Dr.
Coursen had so far recovered as to send in his application
for a berth in some hospital over in France, where
his wonderful knowledge of surgery might prove useful
to the countless wounded men at the front. And
doubtless ere this reaches the eye of the reader he
may be across the Atlantic, serving humanity in the
great cause.

Long would those five lads remember that strange expedition
up to the haunted quarry, and what a remarkable discovery
they made after arriving on the ground. It may
be that Horatio, yes, and Julius also, would be less
apt to clothe anything along a mysterious nature with
ghostly attributes, after learning how common-sense
and investigation will, in nearly all cases, turn
suspicion into ridicule. But while the country
folks, of course, also learned how the phantom of
the quarry had turned out to be just a crazy man who
had escaped from his confinement at home and gone back
to primeval ways of living, few of them would ever
muster up the courage to visit the deserted quarry
after nightfall. It had too many thrilling associations
to please them; and besides, what was the use of going
out of their way just to feel the “goose-flesh”
creep over their bodies when an owl hooted, or some
little forest animal gave a grunt?

K. K., being young and healthy, and attended carefully
by good old Doctor Cadmus, was not confined to the
house for many weeks. The bones did not require
resetting, and rapidly knitted, so that after a while
he could walk to and from school with the aid of a
crutch; and later this, in turn, gave way to a cane.
When February came he even threw this aid aside,
and by March was seen taking his part in school rushes,
as though he had never been injured at all. But
his skates were never once used all winter, nor could
he indulge in any sledding, both of which were favorite
pleasures with K. K.

On the whole, however, he felt that he had much to
be thankful for; and tried not to be too greatly disappointed.
But his chums would miss him when the Marathon race
was on; because he had been accounted one of the best
long-distance runners without exception that Scranton
High could boast.

CHAPTER XVII

SCRANTON’S “OPEN-HOUSE” DAY

Saturday opened with a promise of fair weather, and
thousands of anxious hearts beat high with satisfaction
when this important fact became manifest.